Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Comparative Study
Remifentanil versus fentanyl for intravenous patient-controlled labour analgesia: an observational study.
We undertook a retrospective study to compare the analgesic efficacy and effects on neonatal outcome of administering either remifentanil or fentanyl intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) during labour. ⋯ Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with either remifentanil or fentanyl provides a moderate degree of labour analgesia, whereas transient maternal oxygen desaturation is observed more commonly with remifentanil. Fentanyl is associated with a higher need for neonatal resuscitation.
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This is a case report involving a middle-aged Jehovah's Witness patient who underwent a redo aortic valve replacement, coronary artery bypass graft, and Maze procedure facilitated by cardiopulmonary bypass. The consent process included a discussion of the management of bleeding and hemostasis in the perioperative period in the context of the patients' religious choice and the possible consequences of avoiding transfusion in massive bleeding. The medical team agreed to abide by the patient's wishes with respect to the blood and blood products deemed unacceptable by the patient irrespective of the consequences. The consent included a discussion of manufactured hemostatic agents that are designated by the Hospital Liaison Committee Network for Jehovah's Witnesses as subject to personal decision. There was also a discussion of recombinant agents available, all of which are acceptable to Jehovah's Witness patients. The patient accepted the use of cryoprecipitate, prothrombin complex concentrate, and recombinant factor VIIa. ⋯ This is a novel case involving the use of prothrombin complex concentrate in the setting of a Jehovah's Witness patient undergoing a complex operative procedure.
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A preoperative machine check is imperative, yet machine faults are missed despite experience. We hypothesized that a simulation training session would improve junior residents' ability to perform a machine check beyond the level of final year residents who received only didactic training. ⋯ Our results suggest that an experiential training session allowed junior residents to achieve skills superior to those of senior colleagues after a five-year residency. This training was retained for two to four years as they continued to outperform their comparative controls.